Sustainable Finance

The MSc in Sustainable Finance (formerly called the MSc in Renewable Energy & Environmental Finance) is designed to provide students with real-world insights into the application of finance in achieving sustainable outcomes for corporations, and the process of investing, financing, and building renewable energy projects.



This Master's programme is delivered at our dedicated Graduate Business School campus, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, located in Blackrock, 4km from the main UCD Belfield Campus.



Overview

The MSc in Sustainable Finance (formerly called the MSc in Renewable Energy & Environmental Finance) is designed to provide students with real-world insights into the application of finance in achieving sustainable outcomes for corporations, and the process of investing in, financing, and building sustainable development projects, including renewable energy and green initiatives.



It is estimated that achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 will require investments of $5-7 trillion annually across both the public and private sector. The estimated $2.5 trillion investment gap every year in the developing world is a significant challenge but also an opportunity for policy makers, investors and businesses alike.



In this respect, the course will advance your understanding of finance theory and the application of sustainability factors to financial markets. The course also features a strong low carbon energy component and aims to equip students with creative and analytical approaches to problem-solving in the sustainable finance context as well as enhance the students’ interpersonal and leadership skills. Additionally, students are prepared with the skills necessary in today’s world, such as coding and building green portfolios.



This MSc in Sustainable Finance is suitable for graduates with backgrounds not only in business, finance and economics, but in fields such as environmental science, physics, engineering, and math, who are keen to pursue a career in the sustainable business and finance industry.



The programme can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis. The part-time option enables current professionals with the relevant background to combine working life with study, however this is dependent on students’ employment commitments. Note that this is not a dedicated part-time programme and that part-time students will be required to attend lectures, tutorials and complete group assignments in conjunction with the full-time cohort, for whom the schedule is primarily during working hours for a block of hours on several days a week. Modules in the autumn trimester will be delivered in a compressed format, meaning that modules are taught intensively over two 6 week periods, requiring additional attendance at lectures and tutorials. Employer support is therefore essential.

Stage 1 Core Modules

FIN41660 Financial Econometrics Autumn 5

FIN42000 Financial Theory Autumn 5

FIN42030 Financial Analysis Autumn 5

FIN42040 Capital Markets & Instruments Autumn 5

FIN42050 Quant. Methods for Finance Autumn 5

FIN42240 Applied Derivative Securities Autumn 5

ECON42270 Energy Economics and Policy Spring 7.5

FIN41360 Portfolio & Risk Mgt Spring 7.5

FIN41900 Renewable Energy Finance Spring 7.5

FIN41920 Sustainable Finance Spring 7.5

FIN41910 Green Data Science Summer 7.5

FIN41930 Ethics in Financial Services Summer 7.5



Stage 1 Options - A)15CR:

Choose 2 x 7.5 ECTs options modules. If you would like to pursue Summer Internship (FIN42060) or Research Project (FIN42070), your Programme Manager will register you upon approval. Students will be able to register to Summer Trimester modules in March.

FIN40490 Advanced Treasury Management/Financial Engineering Summer 7.5

FIN41480 Mergers & Acquisitions Summer 7.5

FIN41950 Financial Technology Summer 7.5

FIN42060 Summer Internship Summer 15

FIN42070 Research Dissertation Summer 25

FIN42210 Structured Finance Summer 7.5

FIN42340 Business Communications Summer 7.5

Please review the entry requirements below. The UCD Smurfit Admissions Office staff have expertise in reviewing international qualifications from around the world and will be able to assess your application's comparability to the Irish entry requirement.



An honours bachelors degree in:

a. Business/Commerce including quantitative subjects such as Economics, Finance or Accounting, or



b. A Finance-related-area, Mathematical Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Environmental Science, Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or Law.



with a minimum 2.1 award at NFQ Level 8 (or international equivalent) in a. or b. above.



And

Applicants should have demonstrated strong academic ability (a 1.1 or 2.1) in a number of quantitative modules in their degree, such as Mathematics, Statistics, or Econometrics.

And

Candidates may be asked to sit the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).



If English is not your first language, an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our programmes. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.

https://www.smurfitschool.ie/admissions/internationalapplicants/englishlanguagerequirements/



Some students might have to get a student visa in order to come and study in Ireland. Please check the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services website to see if you require a visa. https://www.irishimmigration.ie/



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

B806 -1 year full-time,

B807 - 2 years part-time.

Delivery: On Campus

B806 Sustainable Finance Master of Science Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught



B807 Sustainable Finance Master of Science Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught UCD

(Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School)

Career Opportunities

The MSc in Sustainable Finance (formerly called the MSc in Renewable Energy & Environmental Finance) from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is highly regarded within the sustainable development sectorenergy and renewables industry. Our graduates go on to occupy positions in both the public and private sectors.



81% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Graduate Outcome Survey 3-year average.



Potential careers for our graduates include:

ESG Analyst

Project Financing

Energy Trading

Business Development

Commodity Broker/Trader

Planning Officer

Research Analyst

Industrial Engineer

Consultant

Policy Research